Gophers Teammate Steps in to Help Koi Perich Answer Question About Refs vs USC

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Koi Perich, Minnesota Gophers football
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Koi Perich might end up being the most crucial recruiting win in PJ Fleck’s Minnesota Gophers tenure, by the time his career in maroon and gold is over. As long as he sticks around, he has all of the star talent, charisma and drive to be one of the greatest to ever step foot in Dinkytown.

I mean, it took just three to four months for this kid to go from injured incoming freshman — trying to adjust to life away from his smalltown home, two hours up I-35 — to a likely starter on the Gophers defense this Saturday vs UCLA, in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl.

After how well Perich played in the 2nd half vs the No. 11 ranked USC Trojans, racking up 6 tackles, a forced fumble and a game-sealing interception, there’s just no way PJ Fleck can keep him off the field any longer.

Sure, he’ll make some mistakes, but those learning experiences will be well worth it later. Koi Perich is a blossoming superstar and it’s time to throw him into the deep end of the pool to see if he can swim by himself. It’s the only test he is yet to take. Well, until the game is over, that is.

Koi Perich still working on his press conference game

One thing Perich has yet to prove, is that he’s ready for the bright lights of the postgame press conference. The true freshman met with media members, after his unbelievable week 6 performance, where he needed some help from senior defensive lineman Jah Joyner, who joined him at the table.

One media member asked if the two of them have ever seen someone be flagged for “imitating brandishing a weapon” like Minnesota Gophers cornerback Justin Walley was on Saturday vs the Trojans. Immediately, Koi started to spout off about how stupid the call was.

Related: PJ Fleck Got Emotional Following Minnesota Gophers Win vs USC

Quickly, Joyner jumped in to slow Perich down. From there, the defensive vet turned to the media and said “we can’t control what the refs say”. It was a cool (and rare) public teaching moment, for the young freshman. Advice that will probably keep him off the referee’s bulletin board in two weeks. It might also have saved a phone call from the Big Ten that PJ Fleck doesn’t want to take. The full transcript is below the video.

Reporter: “Have you ever heard of a ‘brandishing a weapon’ penalty before?”

Perich: “Nah, that was terrible, that was terrible…”

Joyner [whispering off mic]: ‘Sshhh, don’t say that…’

Joyner [to media chuckling]: “Ummm… we can’t control what the refs say.”

Perich: “Oh yeah…”

Perich is correct: Justin Walley got screwed on that penalty

This, ladies and gentlemen, is why Fleck had a long-standing rule that didn’t allow freshman to speak with media. He wanted them to have a couple years worth of experience. They needed to watch and learn from older teammates, as to not embarrass themselves or the school.

Of course, those days are over. College football is now about making money. And it’s harder to get more brand recognition, if you’re never allowed out in public. That doesn’t mean the true freshman was wrong. In fact, we know Koi Perich was right. The call was bullshit. Still, let Fleck talk to the Big Ten about that.

If you aren’t aware of what this back and forth is about. This question stemmed from a penalty that was called on Justin Walley, after the Minnesota cornerback made a huge play on defense. In celebration, Walley lifted his shirt up to show off an impressive set of abs.

So impressive, in fact, that he was flagged and penalized 15-yards, for a rule just about everyone watching had never heard of. Someday, I too hope to get flagged for “imitating brandishing a weapon” whenever I pull up my shirt. Goals…

PJ Fleck, Minnesota Gophers needed this win

The Minnesota Gophers moved to 3-3, following one of the biggest wins in modern program history on Saturday, over the No. 11 ranked USC Trojans. How big was the victory? Let’s just say, PJ Fleck celebrated like he had just won a National Championship for a reason.

Not that he needed a big win to save his job, but he needed a big win to steady the boat, which was rocking on a level that he has not witnessed since 2018, prior to firing defensive coordinator, Robb Smith, and promoting then linebackers coach Joe Rossi to replace him.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Gophers in Program Changing Win vs USC

Now, Fleck needs to capitalize on this momentum on the west coast, this weekend. If Minnesota can win their next vs UCLA, suddenly the clouds will start to part on this season, as they enter their bye week, in week 8. Suddenly, games vs Illinois, Penn State and Wisconsin at the end of the season are starting to look more like opportunities, than they are daggers…

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